Karandaaz is the implementation partner of the Enterprise and Asset Growth Programme (EAGR) and Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) programme of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). SEED is grant funded by FCDO whereas EAGR is co-funded by FCDO and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on grant basis.Karandaaz promotes access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized businesses through a double bottom line investment platform and financial inclusion for individuals by employing technology enabled solutions. The company has four vertical in investment, digital finance, innovation grants and knowledgemtent. My role is to facilitate and have oversight company's all contentious and non-contentious matters as well as corporate compliance at the Company Secretariats office.

- Providing advisory opinions and ensuring compliance with obligations as per terms of the License, Telecom laws/rules and regulations (PTA, FAB, SECP, TCRP, MOITT), and other regulatory authorities.- Reviewing and drafting replies on existing and proposed legislation by the Parliament, relevant ministries, sector regulators, and other administrative bodies. Plus, drafting pleadings and engaging external counsels.- Attending meetings and representing the Company on hearings before the sector regulators, besides liaising (in-person/online correspondence) with the respective departments of these authorities to ensure that compliance is maintained and/or enhanced. - Managing in-house affairs involving cross-sections of legal and regulatory (contentious/non-contentious) issues pertaining to PEMRA, EPA, CCP, and FIA.- Developing compliance modules on consumer protection and competition and regulatory affairs and conducting in-house training for all departments of the Company for operational excellence.- Highlighting actual and/or potential risks (red flags) in the existing or proposed legal/business/marketing plans, developing mitigation strategies/priorities, and maintaining standard operating procedures.- Developing anti-bribery and anti-corruption (ABAC) and US/EU sanction compliance programs. Managing company's Off-Balance Sheet Commitments reporting. - Legal and regulatory due diligence and execution of special projects.

- Managed legal assessment and execution of all antitrust/competition legal issues as well as cross-overs. Liaising with sector-specific regulators. - Led advisory to all departments of the Commission, private entities, sector regulators, and governmental departments on all aspects of competition law and related regulations. - Successfully developed the first antitrust/competition law compliance programs and impart compliance training for MNCs.MERGER ANALYSIS & CLEARANCE:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾Successfully led conducting legal and economic assessments of 150-plus domestic and cross-border M&A and JVS in telecom, media, technology, internet, cable, cell sites, home appliances, pharmaceutical, healthcare brokerage, insurance, banking, stock exchange, fertilizers, chemicals, oil, energy, textile, transportation, packaging, food, sugar, beverage, real estate, and construction. Case-handler of Mobilink/Warid Telecom Phase-2 merger. Negotiated, inter alia, merger remedies, and compliance strategies. CONTENTIOUS & NON-CONTENTIOUS:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾As case handler assisted adjudicators in complex litigation and negotiations involving cartels, trade abuse, and unfair competition practices involving governmental bodies such as SECP, PTA, OGRA, CAA, PEC, and other undertakings, including Bahria Town, all CMOs, PTCL/Etisalat, Tanzanite/edotco Towers, Nayatel, JCR-VIZ, PACRA, Reckitt Benckiser, Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, Engro Pakistan, CFA (USA), Atlas Honda, Pakistan Refinery Limited, Shell Pakistan, Parco, Hascol, K&N Foods, Tara Crops, and various foreign investors.

MERGER NOTIFICATIONS:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾■ Assisted/advised a German technology company in a merger filing for the formation of a joint venture (involving joint production of radiators) with an Italian manufacturer. ■ Assisted/advised a German technology conglomerate in a merger filing for the formation of a joint venture (involving smart grid technology) with a multinational management consulting group. ■ Assisted/advised a German multinational technology company in a merger filing for its acquisition of (enterprise software embedded in automotive scanning tools) a Dutch IT consultancy.ANTITRUST & ANTI BRIBERY AUDITS/ADVISORY:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾■ Participated in the multilingual audit of a global home appliance manufacturer: reviewed market situation reports, and identified actual/potential antitrust violations. Wrote a report on the findings.■ Coordinated in the (e) audit of an auto engine manufacturer: defined search terms, conducted investigation, identified violations, and assisted in planning in-person interviews of management in China.■ Advised on antitrust/competition issues, eg, exchange of information, joint distribution, refusal to deal, non-compete and grant-back/IP clauses vis Article 101 and 102 TFEU, TTBER, etc.■ Authored a full report on guilty pleas, settlements, and class actions filed in the auto parts antitrust litigation in the USA. Assisted in the development of settlement strategies. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾■ Led anti-bribery (e) investigation of a global tech conglomerate facing multi-million Euro charges in Asia. Identified actual/potential exposures, Provided strategic directions on the remedial measures. ■ Participated in the development of a company-wide anti-bribery compliance program comprising the laws of the US, UK, 17-Asian-Pacific, and offshore jurisdictions.

Liaised with the examiners in Pakistan and in-house/management in Glasgow, United Kingdom. ■ Developed guides, syllabus, and factual scenarios/answers. Managed E-standardization as a team leader. Legal subjects included: Constitution, Contract, Company, Corporate Governance and Employment law.

TELECOMMUNICATION: ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾Commercial Negotiations ► Contracting ► IP/Technology Licensing ■ Lead associate in negotiating, drafting, and finalizing contracts and licenses involving framework agreements (such as MSA and LSA), data licenses/procurement, network/access, installation/maintenance, bandwidth/capacity, subscription/franchise, and service-level agreements. ■ Provided strategic advice on IP licensing terms, data protection, confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, anti-bribery and antitrust compliance.⇨ Major clients: TRANSWORLD ASSOCIATES (Pakistan’s tier-1 submarine cable Internet connectivity providers), WARID TELECOM, and TELENOR (leading Telecom/ISP operators).HEALTHCARE:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾■ Negotiated and drafted the terms of sales, maintenance, and service agreements and procurement of high-value medical equipment and IT solutions for AL-RAZI Healthcare in Lahore, and KULSUM International Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. ENERGY:‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾Corporate Mergers ► Joint Ventures ► Divestitures ► IPOs ► Incorporation Highlights:✯ Advised Saif Power Ltd on its IPO: conducted legal/contractual due diligence. Identified risks and formulate mitigation strategies. Drafted offer document and prospectus. Drafted and finalized subscription and underwriting agreements and documents. Sought regulatory approvals, plus listing compliance. ✯ Advised Abu Dhabi Group on the sale of its minority stakes in one of the largest Pakistani banks: prepared due diligence report, reviewed CA, NDA, LOI, and MOU, and legal sections of private placement memorandum, including other related agreements. ✯ Advised Saif Holdings Ltd in selling Lahore Compost Ltd: conducted sell-side legal, regulatory, and contractual due diligence. Advised on assigning contracts and successor’s liability.

CONTENTIOUS: ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾Litigation ► Arbitration ► Settlements■ Provided corporate clients and individuals with creative and result-oriented litigation and arbitration assistance in matters ranging from commercial disputes to sensitive internal/regulatory investigations. Prepared court submissions, pleadings, briefs and motions. ■ Handled several commercial litigation matters and assisted in arbitration between and among an International Mall’s contractor, architect, developer, local land authority and the environment tribunal. Participated in settlement negotiations leading to withdrawal of suits and injunctions. ■ Advised a USAID contractor on all aspects of contract termination and settlement of claims arising out of unfulfilled construction project obligations to third parties and the Government of Pakistan. ■ Advised a holding company on the enforcement of a foreign arbitral award concerning a high-value mobile telecom divestiture and the valuation fee levied by a multinational advisory firm based in Dubai. ■ Assisted in representing All Pakistan Textiles Association (APTMA) before the National Tariff Commission on issues involving imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese Polyester Staple fiber imported in Pakistan. ■ Successfully defended a multinational pharmaceutical company in an unfair dismissal suit filed by one of its manager. ■ Successfully defended Lahore Compost Limited in the consumer court in a complaint filed by its regional distributor. ■ Represented a multinational pharmaceutical in a writ petition involving commercialization fee levied by Lahore Development Authority.